Mike Johanns on Free Trade

Secretary of Agriculture; previously Republican NE Governor

Open up new markets for agricultural & beef exports

These are exciting times for agriculture families. The crops that will propel our nation’s future energy supply, ethanol and biodiesel, are produced across Nebraska. We are opening up new markets for our exports, including beef. Yet, challenges remain.
We need agricultural policies that expand trade and strengthen important programs that provide a critical safety net for our farmers and ranchers while not raising their taxes.

Sponsored bill for post-mad-cow access to Japan beef markets.

RESOLUTION Supporting increased market access for exports of United States beef and beef products to Japan.

Whereas, in 2003, Japan was the largest market for US beef, with exports valued at $1,400,000,000;

Whereas, after the discovery of 1 Canadian-born cow infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy ([known as "mad cow disease"] or BSE) disease in Dec. 2003, Japan closed its market to US beef, and still restricts access to a large number of safe US beef products;

Whereas for years the US has developed and implemented a multilayered system of interlocking safeguards to ensure the safety of US beef, and after the 2003 discovery, the US implemented further safeguards to ensure beef safety;

Whereas a 2006 study by the USDA found that BSE was virtually nonexistent in the US;

Whereas, from 2004 through 2009, US beef exports to Japan averaged roughly $196,000,000, less than 15% of the amount the US sold to Japan in 2003, causing significant losses for
US cattle producers; and

Whereas, while Japan remains an important trading partner of the US, this unscientific trade restriction is not consistent with fair trade practices, nor with US treatment of Japanese imports:

Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--

it is not in the interest of either the US or Japan to arbitrarily restrict market access for their close partners;

trade between the US and Japan should be conducted with mutual respect and based on sound science;

since banning US beef in Dec. 2003, Japan has not treated US beef producers fairly;

both Japan and the US should comply with guidelines based on sound science;

Japan should immediately expand market access for US exporters of both bone-in and boneless beef beyond the existing standard of beef from cattle 20 months and younger; and

the President should insist on increased access for US exporters of beef and beef products to the market in Japan.